كَذَٰلِكَ سَلَكْنَـٰهُ فِى قُلُوبِ ٱلْمُجْرِمِينَ 200
Translations
Thus have We inserted it [i.e., disbelief] into the hearts of the criminals.
Transliteration
Kathalika salaknahoo fee quloobil-mujrimeen
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah states that just as We have made the Qur'an easy to recite and remember (as mentioned in the preceding ayah 26:195), We have similarly placed rejection and disbelief in the hearts of the criminals and wrongdoers. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir interpret this as Allah's divine will allowing the hearts of those who persist in transgression to become sealed and hardened against the message, as a consequence of their own choices and persistent rejection of truth.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the final section of Surah Ash-Shu'ara, which addresses the Meccan disbelievers' rejection of the Qur'an and the Prophet Muhammad. The context reflects the broader Meccan period where the disbelievers actively resisted and ridiculed the message, despite its clarity and eloquence, demonstrating that receptiveness to faith depends on the state of one's heart and willingness to submit.
Related Hadiths
The theme relates to Sahih Bukhari 7:165, where the Prophet (peace be upon him) mentioned that hearts can become sealed through persistent disobedience. Additionally, the Qur'an itself (47:16) speaks of those whose hearts Allah has sealed due to their rejection.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that rejecting divine guidance has spiritual consequences—hearts progressively harden when truth is consistently refused. It also encourages Muslims to guard their hearts through obedience and sincere seeking of knowledge, recognizing that spiritual receptiveness is both a gift from Allah and a responsibility we must nurture through righteous conduct.
Related Ayahs
وَلَوْ شِئْنَا لَرَفَعْنَـٰهُ بِهَا وَلَـٰكِنَّهُۥٓ أَخْلَدَ إِلَى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَٱتَّبَعَ هَوَىٰهُ ۚ فَمَثَلُهُۥ كَمَثَلِ ٱلْكَلْبِ إِن تَحْمِلْ عَلَيْهِ يَلْهَثْ أَوْ تَتْرُكْهُ يَلْهَث ۚ ذَّٰلِكَ مَثَلُ ٱلْقَوْمِ ٱلَّذِينَ كَذَّبُوا۟ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا ۚ فَٱقْصُصِ ٱلْقَصَصَ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ
And if We had willed, We could have elevated him thereby, but he adhered [instead] to the earth and followed his own desire. So his example is like that of the dog: if you chase him, he pants, or if you leave him, he [still] pants. That is the example of the people who denied Our signs. So relate the stories that perhaps they will give thought.
وَمَآ أَرْسَلْنَا مِن رَّسُولٍ إِلَّا بِلِسَانِ قَوْمِهِۦ لِيُبَيِّنَ لَهُمْ ۖ فَيُضِلُّ ٱللَّهُ مَن يَشَآءُ وَيَهْدِى مَن يَشَآءُ ۚ وَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ
And We did not send any messenger except [speaking] in the language of his people to state clearly for them, and Allāh sends astray [thereby] whom He wills and guides whom He wills. And He is the Exalted in Might, the Wise.
وَمَن يَهْدِ ٱللَّهُ فَمَا لَهُۥ مِن مُّضِلٍّ ۗ أَلَيْسَ ٱللَّهُ بِعَزِيزٍ ذِى ٱنتِقَامٍ
And whoever Allāh guides - for him there is no misleader. Is not Allāh Exalted in Might and Owner of Retribution?